BAP MPA cautions on Reko Diq deal

Member provincial assembly (MPA) of ruling Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Mir Muhammad Arif Muhammad Hasni, has said that the proposed Reko Diq deal will be opposed if it was found against the interest of Balochistan and Chagai districts.

In a statement issued on Saturday Hasni said Reko Diq copper and gold mine was a national treasure which could change the economic fate of entire country and Balochistan as well but unfortunately this resource rich project was not utilized properly. He said “We have been listening about a proposed agreement about Reko Diq which is located in Chagai and being an elected representative of this area I warn the authorities that every democratic tactics of protest will be employed if Chagai and Balochistan were deprived of basic rights in this deal.”

Hasni urged the government to make sure the provision of all perks and privileges for Chagai and Balochistan in the proposed Reko Diq agreement which would help reduce the poverty and unemployment in the region.

He warned that strong reaction would be seen from the people of Chagai if their rights were denied like the past.

On the other hand central president National Party and former Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has demanded that the government should immediately make the Reko Diq agreement public.

He shared these views in a press conference at Quetta Press Club on Saturday on the occasion of resignation of Haji Nisar Ahmed of PTI from Naseerabad division and joining National Party.

He said that at present the country and the nation are facing many problems including inflation and unemployment due to the PTI rule.

In response to a question, Dr Malik said that all the agreements about Reko Diq should be brought before the people so that the concerns, reservations and apprehensions of the people could be removed.

“The government should work seriously with all stakeholders to resolve the issues amicably. Selling the resources of Balochistan for pennies will have dire consequences which could not be allowed,” he said.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 03, 2022.